SHAKTI-VIII: Indian and French Forces Engage in Joint Military Drills

The Indo-French Joint Military Exercise SHAKTI-VIII is currently ongoing at Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie, Southern France, fostering military cooperation. The exercise aims to boost interoperability, tactical coordination, and mutual confidence between the Indian and French forces. The Indian Army contingent, spearheaded by a battalion from the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, and the French Army’s 13^e Foreign Legion Half-Brigade (13e DBLE), are participating in a variety of drills designed to simulate realistic combat environments. Core activities include combat shooting in varied terrains, obstacle courses, joint planning, and specialized training. Combat shooting displayed the newest small arms of both nations. Both sides trained on Electronic Warfare (EW) and Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) technologies. The exercise underlines the depth of Indo-French defence cooperation, reinforcing shared commitments towards regional stability, technological partnerships, and collective security goals.